Is there a technique?

Marc

Marc

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I have recently been having difficulty obtaining focus on grab shots, most noticeably at the meet on saturday. I just can't seem to get the camera up and focused in time to get the shot, hence a lot of my shots of fellow TPers are soft.

Are there any techniques anyone uses to get around this. I'm pretty sure it's me and not the camera.
 
Hmmm, I see you have a Sony Alpha and I'm not familiar with that!

My Canons have varying amounts of autofocus points and if I want a quick focus I limit the autofocus points so I can get it on the target I'm actually aiming for. Otherwise it can lock on things I don't want!

Not sure if that is going to help at all but it's what I try.
 
My 5D has 9 and the 1Ds has something obscene like 51!

If I want a good solid lock I set it to one single central focus point. I'm like a sniper with that. lol
 
ok, on a nikon, the point that is focusing highlights itself in the viewfinder, so pressume the A700 has something similar. Make sure its turned on and I ususally find leaving it on the centre one makes it easier to flick it across to one of the others using the rocker wheel on the rear of the body if you need to However Marc, having seen some of your stuff, I am not entirely sure the blurring is focus, so much as movement, as if shutter speeds aren't quite quick enough...might be worth checking exif on some shots and finding out exactly what the problem is before tryig to sort it out ;)
 
fabs said:
Thanks Yvonne, I was using mainly shutter speeds of around 100. I haven't got the steadiest of hands so maybe I should be loking for higher. Time to crank up that ISO again maybe.
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A steady hand can get away with 1/100 if you have chance to compose and steady, but for grab shots its probably too low, for people you probably need to be looking at 1/160 or higher. Sadly it IS that time of year when cranking up the ISO is needed.....now, you still not considering one of those Nikon thingies? :p :D ;)
 
When you have a free day Marc post it up and we can arrange a wander and see if we can work the kinds out of the sony kit.

(I will bring my small adjustment hammer.....)

Just give me a PM and we can arrange a day, its most likely something silly that has been missed.

Nigel
 
Marc

Once you get in the swing of things you can get cocky.... this was with the 50-150 ƒ2.8 at 1/15th

107057986.jpg


Just have to learn to live with out ever breathing again.

Nigel
 
Yv said:
A steady hand can get away with 1/100 if you have chance to compose and steady, but for grab shots its probably too low, for people you probably need to be looking at 1/160 or higher. Sadly it IS that time of year when cranking up the ISO is needed.....now, you still not considering one of those Nikon thingies? :p :D ;)
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Thanks Yvonne. Hmmmm, Nikon thingies. Now you don't want me coming after your D300 as well do you? :naughty:

Shutterman said:
When you have a free day Marc post it up and we can arrange a wander and see if we can work the kinds out of the sony kit.

(I will bring my small adjustment hammer.....)

Just give me a PM and we can arrange a day, its most likely something silly that has been missed.

Nigel
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That would be brilliant. I'd love to follow my Tristan Masterclass with a Nigel one! will PM you soon. :thumbs:
 
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